Chapter 13
Chapter 13, Section 1
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500 – 1500
Also Medieval Period.
Society was based on:
◦ Classical heritage of
Rome
◦ Beliefs of the Roman
Catholic Church
◦ Customs of various
Germanic tribes
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Disruption of Trade
◦ Invasions cause businesses to
collapse
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Downfall of Cities
◦ Abandoned as centers of
administration
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Population Shifts
◦ Nobles retreat to rural areas;
cities without leadership
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Decline of Learning
◦ Invaders couldn’t read or
write; Greek language almost
lost
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Loss of Common Language
◦ Latin not widely understood
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Small Germanic
kingdoms replaced
Roman provinces
Concept of government
changed – no longer
unified society and
common law
No loyalty to unknown
king; loyalty only to
Germanic leader
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Held power in Roman
province - Gaul (today
France / Switzerland)
Their leader, Clovis,
converted to and
brought Christianity to
region
Began alliance between
Church and Frankish
kingdom.
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Church built religious
communities to adapt
to rural areas
◦ Monks (men) lived in
monasteries
◦ Nuns (women) lived in
convents
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Gave up private
possessions and
dedicated their lives to
serving God
Became best-educated
communities in Europe
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Gregory I – became pope
590; authority as pope
went beyond spiritual to
secular (worldly) role:
◦ Papacy became involved in
politics.
◦ Entered into peace treaties.
◦ Church income used to
raise armies, fix roads AND
help the poor.
◦ Claimed right to spiritual
kingdom from Italy to
England and Spain to
Germany.
Pope Gregory I
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Mayor of Palace was
most powerful position
in Frankish kingdom;
719 position was held
by Charles Martel.
Held more power than
King Charles; extended
Franks’ reign north,
south and east; also
defeated Muslim
Raiders at Battle of
Tours; became
Christian hero.
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Son of Charles Martel,
Pepin the Short,
wanted to be king
Cooperated with pope
to fight Lombards who
threatened Rome.
Pope anointed Pepin as
king, beginning
Carolingian Dynasty
that ruled 751-987.
Coronation in 752
of Pépin
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Also known as Charles
the Great; became king
in 771.
Built enormous empire
larger than Byzantine
Empire, uniting entire
Western Europe.
Spread Christianity;
pope crowned him as
“Roman Emperor”.
Managed kingdom and
encouraged education.
Chapter 13, Section 2
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Similar to feudalism in
Japan.
Set of legal and
military customs in
medieval Europe.
Based on rights and
obligations.
System for structuring
society based the right
to hold/work land in
exchange for service or
labor.
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The noble who held
land or landowner was
called the lord.
The land granted to
someone was called a
fief.
The person receiving
the land in exchange
for services was the
vassal.
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Status in the feudal
system depended on
prestige and power.
At the peak was the
king, and under him
the vassals.
Knights served the
landowners or vassals.
At base of pyramid was
peasants and serfs.
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Knights served under
wealthy landowners or
vassals.
They were mounted
horsemen who pledged
to defend their lord’s
lands in exchange for
fiefs (land).
The rank became
associated with the
ideals of chivalry, i.e. a
code of conduct for the
perfect courtly warrior.
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Peasant or poor person
who was required to
work for the Lord of the
Manor.
In return they were
entitled to protection,
justice and the right to
use certain fields within
the manor.
Often required not only
to work on the lord's
fields, but also his mines,
forests and roads.
Serfs formed the lowest
social class of feudal
society.
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The area over which a lord
had domain and could
exercise certain rights and
privileges in medieval
Europe; 15-30 families.
The self-sufficient village
would usually contain a
church, workshops, fields,
etc. where nearly everything
the lord needed would be
produced – crops, milk,
cheese, cloth, leather,
lumber.
The Manor House was built
apart from the village where
the peasants lived.
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Peasant families were required to give up one
tenth of their income or what they produced.
This was paid to the priest for the church.
Chapter 13, Section 3
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Knights needed strength
and skills to fight wars in
the Middle Ages; they
had to be disciplined and
strong.
Followed a Code of
Conduct that required
chivalry – a set of
expectations and ideals
that included courtesy,
generosity, justice and
bravery.
Had to show loyalty to
their feudal lord,
heavenly lord and chosen
lady.
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Mock battle for knights
to build experience in
fighting.
Combined training and
recreation; fierce and
bloody competitions.
Winners could demand
ransom from defeated
knights.
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Traveling poetmusicians who visited
castles and courts of
Medieval Europe.
Composed short verses
and songs about joys
and sorrows of love;
would perform them
for the ladies.
Chapter 13, Section 4
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Included all church
officials from the pope
to bishops, priests and
monks/nuns.
Power was based on
status or rank within
the church.
Priests were supervised
by Bishops who also
settled disputes
amongst priests.
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Sacred Christian rites or religious ceremonies.
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Church Law
Authority of the
Church was both
religious and political.
EVERYONE – including
royalty – subject to
Canon Law.
Harsh punishments for
offenders included
excommunication and
interdict.
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Territories in medieval
Germany ruled by Otto
the Great.
Otto also invaded Italy
on Pope’s behalf; was
included in what
became known as the
Holy Roman Empire.
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Appointment of
bishops, abbots, and
other church officials
by feudal lords and
vassals.
Banned by Church did not want royals to
have that much power.
Led to clash between
Pope Gregory VII and
King Henry IV.
Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV
doing penance to reverse his
excommunication
by Pope Gregory VII
Chapter 14
Chapter 14, Section 1
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The act of selling
offices and positions in
the Church.
Refers to the New
Testament story where
Simon Magus offered
the apostles money for
the gift of the Holy
Ghost.
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Architects developed
key techniques of
structural engineering.
Features include:
◦ Ribbed vaults to support
roof’s weight
◦ Flying buttresses that
transferred weight to
thick exterior walls
◦ Pointed arches that
framed huge stained
glass windows
◦ Tall spires that seemed to
point to heaven
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Turks massacred the
Byzantine Empire’s
armies; threatened
Constantinople.
Pope Urban II urged
revolt, marking
beginning of
Crusades.
“A horrible tale has gone forth,” he said. “An accursed race utterly alienated from
God … has invaded the lands of the Christians and depopulated them by the
sword, plundering, and fire.” Toward the end, of his sermon he made his appeal:
“Tear that land from the wicked race and subject it to yourselves.”
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The Crusades were
military campaigns or
Holy Wars sanctioned
by the Roman Catholic
Church.
The first crusade tried
to restore Christian
access to holy places in
and near Jerusalem.
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Powerful Kurdish
leader who led the
Muslim opposition to
the Crusaders.
He united and lead the
Muslim world;
recaptured Jerusalem
for the Muslims in
1187.
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The pope, Gregory VIII,
ordered another crusade
to regain the Holy City
for the Christians after
Saladin’s victory. This
was the start of the Third
Crusade.
It was initially led by
Richard I (Richard the
Lion-Hearted), Emperor
Frederick Barbarossa of
Germany and King Philip
II of France; eventually
only Richard I remained.
Crusade lasted from
1189 to 1192; Richard 1
and Saladin signed truce.
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The Reconquista is the
name given to a long
series of wars and battles
between the Christian
Kingdoms and the
Muslim Moors
Battled for control of the
Iberian Peninsula (Large
part of Spain and
Portugal today).
It lasted from 718 to
1492.
TOP: The division of the land before
Granada was retaken.
BOTTOM: The Moors surrendering
to Ferdinand and Isabella.
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An organization in the
Roman Catholic Church
that was responsible
for finding and
punishing heretics
(people who did not
accept its beliefs and
practices).
Targeted Jews and
Muslims.
Involved torture, and if
found guilty, burned at
a stake.
Chapter 14, Section 2
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A system of land
cultivation under which
the common land is
divided into three parts
of which one or two in
rotation lie fallow in each
year and the rest are
cultivated.
Increased food
production; people were
healthier because they
could eat more and
population expanded.
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Organization of
individuals in the same
business / occupation.
Goal to improve
economic and social
conditions for members.
Merchants formed first
guild to control trading
prices and reduce losses.
Guilds later set standards
for quality of work,
wages and working
conditions.
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Expanded agriculture and
trade changed way business
was done; led to
Commercial Revolution.
No longer produced
everything on selfsufficient manor.
Fairs were set up to
encourage trade of cloth,
food (bacon, salt, honey,
cheese, wine), leather
goods, knives and ropes.
Goods from foreign
countries became available.
Business and banking
services developed.
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A citizen of a borough or
town, usually belonging
to the middle class.
Did not fit in traditional
order; resented
interference from feudal
lords.
Organized themselves
into groups and
demanded certain rights,
e.g. right to govern a
town.
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The language or dialect
spoken by the ordinary
people in a particular
country or region
Different from main or
official language;
Shakespeare wrote his
plays in vernacular
spoken by ordinary
people on the street.
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The Summary of
Theology is considered
to be Thomas Aquinas’
masterwork.
Combined the theological
principles of faith with
the philosophical
principles of reason to
prove the existence of
God.
Aquinas promoted the
literal reading of
Scripture (not allegorical
interpretation).
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Men who met at
universities and used
their knowledge of
Aristotle to debate
issues of their time.
Teachings on law and
government influenced
Western Europeans;
began development of
democratic institutions
and traditions.
Chapter 14, Section 3
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Was also Duke of Normandy.
After the death of William’s
cousin Edward, Harold
Godwinson claimed the
throne of England for himself;
William, angered by the
betrayal, invaded England to
enforce his claim to the
throne.
Crowned King of England
after the Battle of Hastings in
1066.
Laid groundwork for
centralized government in
England.
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English king who
married Eleanor of
Aquitine.
Obtained Aquitine in
addition to Normandy;
vastly expanded
English territory within
France.
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Under Henry II justice
system improved.
Royal judges sent all
across England; held
jury trials.
Over years ruling of
judges became
“common law”.
Common law still basis
for law in many
English-speaking
countries, including
USA.
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Charter (contract
between King John and
nobles declaring all
laws should be obeyed
by everyone, including
the king.
Limited power of the
king and guaranteed
certain rights for all
citizens.
Basis for legal rights in
England and USA.
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Created by Edward I to
raise taxes for warfare.
2 burgesses (wealthy
property owners) from
each borough and two
knights from each
county served in this
legislative group
known as parliament.
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After Carolingian
Dynasty came to end,
Hugh Capet took over
small area in France
that included Paris.
Began Capetian
Dynasty – lasted 300+
years.
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Powerful Capetian –
rulled 1180 – 1223
Able to seize
Normandy from
English and extend
French territory.
Established central
government in France.
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Consisted of:
◦ Church Leaders (1st Estate)
◦ Great Lords (2nd Estate)
◦ Commoners (3rd Estate)
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Eventually played huge
role in overthrowing
French monarchy
during French
Revolution
Chapter 14, Section 4
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Pope Clement V moved
from Rome to Avignon;
popes lived there
following 67 years.
Move away from Rome
weakened Roman
Catholic Church
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A split within the
Catholic Church from
1378 to 1418.
Several men claimed to
be the true pope.
Ended by the Council of
Constance (1414–1418).
The rival claims to the
papal chair damaged the
reputation of the office;
weakened Catholic
Church further.
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Challenged power of
pope.; preached that
Jesus Christ was true
head of the Church
(not the pope).
Offended by wealth
displayed by clergy.
Maintained Bible is
final authority on
Christ’s life.
Inspired translation of
New Testament into
English.
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Admired stance taken
by John Wycliffe.
Maintained that
authority of the Bible
was higher authority
than pope.
Excommunicated from
Church – 1412
Tried as heretic – 1414
Burned at stake – 1415
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Epidemic started in Asia
and spread across to North
Africa and Europe in
1300’s.
Deadly disease spread by
rats; worsened by insanitary
living conditions.
Wiped out large sections of
populations in China, North
Africa and Europe.
Many people believed that
the Black Death was a kind
of divine punishment for
sins against God. Resulted
in:
◦ Jews massacred
◦ Flagellation
◦ Pope’s power usurped
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Continuous battle between
England and France which
eventually marked the end
of the Middle Ages.
Started initially because
England’s Edward III
claimed the right to the
French throne in 1337.
Continued for more than
100 years until 1453.
Final outcome was that the
French were able to drive
England out of France
(except for Calais), but it
also brought about big
changes in the way that
wars were fought.
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Joan of Arc led the
French army to victory
over the British at
Orléans at age 18.
Captured a year later,
Joan was burned by the
English and their
French collaborators as
a heretic.
Canonized as a Roman
Catholic saint 500
years later.